Ever find yourself wondering what the true, bedrock essentials of faith are? I mean, what is truly necessary to be in good standing, to be ready to live out a genuine faith? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us can feel tossed around by the latest trend or expectation that faith needs to “look” a certain way. But at its core, the Christian faith has five foundational essentials that don’t shift, even if the world around us does.
Starting the second week of November at 9 AM, we’ll kick off a new Bible study series exploring these five essentials of our faith in Jesus. Each session will dive deep into a key element that defines our faith, offering insights and practical ways to grow, no matter where you are in your journey.
Here’s what’s coming up in the series:
- Believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior – the solid ground of our faith and salvation.
- Following Jesus’ Call – moving beyond cognitive ascent to actively living out His teachings.
- Loving God with All Our Heart, Mind, and Soul – deepening our devotion and daily connection with Him.
- Loving Our Neighbor as Ourselves – sharing Christ’s love with others, even when it’s not easy.
- Making Disciples – carrying out the mission of sharing the Good News and guiding others to follow Him.
Each of these is essential and builds on our relationship with Christ as the foundation. But here’s the kicker—faith isn’t something we measure out like gasoline in a tank, nor is it dependent on how we “feel” about it on any given day. It’s a quality that either exists, or doesn’t, grounded solely on Jesus’ promises and the work He finished on the cross. When it comes to saving faith, it’s all about who we trust, not how much faith we think we have.
The Core of Faith: Jesus as “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6)
In this first installment, we’re looking at what it means to believe in Jesus as God and Savior. Jesus says He’s “the way, the truth, and the life”—and that’s not just an invitation to an opinion. He’s laying out the only true path to God, one that leads us straight to grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us of this unearned gift: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Faith in Jesus is resting on His promises, not on how much effort we put in. This isn’t about our performance; it’s about receiving what only Jesus can give.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you have “enough” faith, remember this: the power and reality of our faith come from Jesus alone. It’s not something we conjure up; it’s a trust that He’s already done all the work. Either we believe this or not. Saving faith does not in any way depend on how we feel at a certain moment or how well we’ve handled things on any given day.
Faith Isn’t a Performance
If we see faith as something we “do,” it’s easy to wonder if we’re doing enough. But saving faith isn’t about having a certain quantity of “belief.” It’s about the simple (and profound) trust in what Jesus has accomplished on the cross. And this trust isn’t about striving; it’s about letting go and allowing Jesus’ work to count for us, knowing we are saved, accepted, and loved by God because of Him alone.
Reflection for the Week: In what ways have you been relying on your own efforts rather than embracing the grace Jesus offers?
Take some time to think about this and pray over it honestly. It’s not always easy to let go, but that’s where true freedom begins.
Where to Next?
True faith leads to action, yes, but it’s not about earning our place. We trust Jesus first, and then, naturally, our lives start to change. It a response to what Jesus has already done for us. As we continue in this series, each session will invite us to step deeper into these essentials of faith—not just by knowing them but by living them. I encourage you to join us starting the second week of November for this sneak peek into what’s foundational. Let’s explore these essentials together, confident that He’s leading the way.
Join Us for the Essentials Series!
We’re excited to journey with you through these foundational truths that don’t depend on our strength but on Jesus’ promises. We’ll see you at 9 AM on Sundays, starting November 10. This series is bound to bring us closer to the One who holds us all.
Pastor Mark
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